Highest-paying trades in Maine
27 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Maine, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $69.08 | $143,690 | $76.32 | 110 | 1st of 37 | — | 31% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $52.92 | $110,070 | $83.07 | 1,460 | 26th of 51 | +7.4% | 4% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $39.95 | $83,090 | $58.63 | 1,160 | 39th of 51 | +3.5% | 13% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $37.16 | $77,290 | $52.28 | 3,130 | 34th of 51 | +7.6% | 3% below |
| 5 | Electrician | $36.24 | $75,380 | $55.63 | 3,780 | 17th of 51 | +16.8% | 19% above |
| 6 | Tile setter | $34.00 | $70,720 | $63.41 | 60 | 4th of 47 | — | 27% above |
| 7 | Millwright | $32.80 | $68,220 | $41.89 | 350 | 18th of 48 | -4.4% | 4% above |
| 8 | Crane operator | $31.58 | $65,690 | $43.62 | 360 | 28th of 50 | -1.2% | 4% below |
| 9 | Plumber | $30.77 | $64,000 | $38.83 | 2,710 | 25th of 51 | -5.0% | about the same as |
| 10 | HVAC technician | $30.37 | $63,170 | $39.47 | 2,250 | 17th of 51 | +1.8% | 4% above |
| 11 | Welder | $29.92 | $62,220 | $36.64 | 1,690 | 9th of 51 | -3.3% | 16% above |
| 12 | Carpenter | $29.88 | $62,160 | $37.62 | 5,170 | 17th of 51 | +20.7% | 3% above |
| 13 | Sheet metal worker | $29.87 | $62,120 | $36.29 | 830 | 26th of 50 | -5.1% | 1% above |
| 14 | Ironworker | $29.69 | $61,750 | $41.75 | 200 | 29th of 50 | +11.4% | 2% below |
| 15 | Solar installer | $29.43 | $61,210 | $41.70 | 60 | 7th of 32 | — | 15% above |
| 16 | Diesel mechanic | $29.26 | $60,850 | $38.20 | 1,380 | 28th of 51 | +14.0% | 1% below |
| 17 | Drywall installer | $28.89 | $60,080 | $34.24 | 150 | 18th of 49 | -2.2% | 2% above |
| 18 | Painter | $28.50 | $59,270 | $36.31 | 2,120 | 7th of 51 | +7.3% | 20% above |
| 19 | Wind turbine technician | $28.47 | $59,220 | $37.97 | 50 | 23rd of 25 | — | 8% below |
| 20 | Machinist | $28.44 | $59,160 | $37.68 | 1,780 | 25th of 51 | -2.7% | 1% above |
| 21 | Heavy equipment operator | $26.99 | $56,140 | $36.25 | 2,210 | 37th of 51 | +18.8% | 6% below |
| 22 | Cement mason | $26.77 | $55,680 | $36.24 | 730 | 31st of 51 | +30.8% | 2% below |
| 23 | Roofer | $24.10 | $50,120 | $30.98 | 610 | 28th of 51 | +3.4% | 10% below |
| 24 | Glazier | $22.97 | $47,770 | $29.67 | 150 | 38th of 50 | -3.4% | 16% below |
| 25 | Insulation worker | $22.97 | $47,790 | $30.15 | 440 | 32nd of 48 | — | 3% below |
| 26 | Construction laborer | $22.32 | $46,430 | $29.10 | 3,960 | 32nd of 51 | +17.2% | 2% below |
| 27 | Brickmason | $20.54 | $42,710 | $35.16 | 90 | 50th of 50 | -16.2% | 31% below |
Construction jobs in Maine
36.9kConstruction jobs2026-08
-0.8%Change over 12 months
+9.2%Change over 5 years
Prevailing wage in Maine
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Maine, 5 of 16 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $59.88/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Maine?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $69.08 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($52.92) and electrical power-line installers and repairers ($39.95).
How does Maine compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 27 trades listed, 13 pay above the national median in Maine and 14 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 97.0% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Maine.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).